If you have an American Express cash back credit card, you need to understand Reward Dollars to get the most out of your card.

Below, learn how to access and redeem your American Express Reward Dollars for statement credits and eligible Amazon.com purchases.

Redeem for statement credit

If you want to maximize the flexibility of your Reward Dollars, you can apply your accumulated rewards toward your current statement balance to reduce the amount you owe. 

Follow these steps to apply your statement credit:

• Log into your American Express account.
• Click on “Use Reward Dollars.”
• Enter the amount of Reward Dollars you’d like to apply against your next statement balance.

American Express says the statement credit will usually appear within three days. It’s also important to note that the statement credit will not apply to the “minimum payment due” portion of your balance — you’re responsible for paying that amount even if you have enough rewards to cover it. 

Redeem for Amazon.com purchases

You can also apply your American Express Reward Dollars to eligible purchases at Amazon.com. 

To use your rewards at Amazon, you’ll first need to link your eligible American Express card to your Amazon.com account. 

Once your card is linked, you’ll see your available rewards balance during checkout and have the option to apply your Reward Dollars to your purchase. There is no minimum redemption amount, and your rewards are worth the same as when you redeem them for a statement credit. 

Next steps

Whether you’re redeeming for statement credits or Amazon.com purchases, using your Reward Dollars from American Express is a fairly straightforward process. Plus, as long as your account remains open and in good standing, your Reward Dollars won’t expire.

While cash back cards from American Express offer plenty of value, you may find they have some gaps you’d like to fill. For instance, if you like to travel, you may want to add another American Express card to earn Membership Rewards® for redemptions on flights, hotels and vacation packages.

Your Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers plenty of value. But to unlock the full potential of this card, be sure you’re taking advantage of all its benefits.

With three distinct 3% cash back categories and potentially valuable credits, this card can help you earn meaningful value at a $0 annual fee. Read on to explore the best benefits.

• Earn the welcome bonus
• Learn the spending categories … and their limits
• Use the monthly Disney Bundle credit
• Consider the monthly Home Chef credit
• Take advantage of the 0% intro APR for big purchases

Earn the welcome bonus

The best way to start maximizing your earnings within your first few months of card ownership is to qualify for the welcome bonus.

Currently, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a $200 statement credit when you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months after your account opens. But you might have been offered a different bonus, depending on when and how you applied.

Regardless of the bonus offer you received, this statement credit can help you get great value for your spending.

Learn the spending categories … and their limits

Spending on the card’s bonus categories is the quickest way to rack up rewards dollars. 

The card currently offers:

• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) 
• 3% cash back on up to $6,000 each year in purchases at U.S. gas stations (after that, 1% back)
• 3% cash back on up to on up to $6,000 each year in U.S. online retail purchases (after that, 1% back)
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

These rewards rates can help you earn real value from your spending, but keep in mind that they come with some limitations. 

In addition to the annual spending caps in certain categories (applied per calendar year), you’ll want to watch out for which purchases are included in each category. 

For instance, “U.S. supermarkets” does not include warehouse clubs and superstores like Target and Walmart, and “U.S. online retail purchases” won’t include everything you buy online. 

Use the monthly Disney Bundle credit

If you’re looking to save on the costs of streaming, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express can help you cover it. 

The card offers a $7 monthly statement credit (up to $84 annually) for Disney Bundle subscriptions, which include Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. To qualify, you need to enroll and spend at least $9.99 each month on an auto-renewing subscription using the card. 

If you already have a Disney Bundle subscription, this benefit provides clear value. And if you don’t, this credit might be a reason to take another look at this subscription package.

Consider the monthly Home Chef credit

If you’re interested in meal kits, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a $15 monthly statement credit on subscription purchases from Home Chef (up to $180 per year). Enrollment is required to qualify and is subject to auto-renewal. 

Just keep in mind that this monthly credit will likely only cover some of the cost of your Home Chef order.

Take advantage of the 0% intro APR for big purchases

The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after account opening. But make sure to try to pay off your purchases and transfers before the intro APR expires, or you’ll be charged a variable regular APR of 18.24% - 29.24% on both.

Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days of account opening to qualify for the intro rate, and there’s also balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

While the balance transfer offer could be helpful for those carrying debt on other cards, we recommend that cardholders using the card for other benefits try to stick to the 0% intro purchase APR offer. In general, it’s a good idea not to use the same card for both new purchases and managing existing debt — juggling both balances can get complicated, and you could end up in more debt than when you started.

Next steps

Your Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express comes with other benefits, including purchase protection and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance. But the perks we’ve called out above are most likely to help you maximize the card’s value in your first few months of card ownership. Eventually, as you use the card more, you might find it has some gaps you’d like to fill. For example, if you like to travel, you may want to add another American Express card to gain the ability to redeem rewards for airfare, hotel stays and more.

If you’re dealing with debt after your 0% balance transfer APR offer ends, it might feel like an overwhelming problem. But there are options that can help.

While transferring your high-interest debt to another credit card with lower rates can be a smart tactic, there are other debt consolidation strategies you might want to consider. Here are some options.

• Transfer your balance to a new 0% APR card
• Apply for a personal loan
• Find a credit counselor
• Reach out to friends or family

Transfer your balance to a new 0% APR card

When one 0% balance transfer APR ends, you might be able to find a new card with a similar offer to manage leftover debt.

If you found your 0% APR offer useful and want to do another balance transfer, there might be options available. Here’s what to do:

• Make sure you’re eligible: Many 0% APR offers don’t apply if you’re transferring your balance from another account with that issuer. Check the fine print to see if your new card allows you to transfer at that desired rate.
• Check the fees: Depending on the amount you want to transfer, the cost of your balance transfer fee might be greater than the amount you’d save in interest payments.
• Make a plan for repayment: Balance transfers are easier to manage when you have a clear plan to pay off your debt. Consider how much you’ll need to pay, and create a budget to help.

Apply for a personal loan

A personal loan can consolidate your debts into a single payment, often with a lower interest rate than your credit cards. Here’s what to do:

• Compare interest rates: Shopping around with multiple lenders can help you save money on your loan. 
• Evaluate loan terms: Look for loans with term lengths that match your ability to repay.
• Understand fees: Even if your interest rate is lower than what you’ll find from a credit card, additional fees can cost you. Look out for origination fees and other add-ons that might apply.

Find a credit counselor

Working with a reputable credit counseling agency can help you manage your debt more effectively. Take these steps:

• Research agencies: Ensure the organization is reputable and certified. A good option will send you free information before you explain anything about your situation, and they won’t promise you too much.
• Understand the plan: Before choosing an option, get a clear picture of how the agency will help manage your debts. A legitimate agency will tailor your plan to your unique situation.
• Review potential fees: Be aware of any charges for the services provided. A good credit counselor will make all the costs clear upfront.

Reach out to friends or family

Borrowing money from someone you know can provide a low-interest solution to your debt. But think through all the possible consequences for your relationship. 

• Agree on terms: Clearly document all loan terms to avoid future misunderstandings. You’re still making a financial agreement, even if it’s not with a formal lender.
• Discuss repayment plans: Develop a solid plan for repayment that both parties agree on. That way, you’ll all know what’s expected of each other.

Consider the relationship: Money can complicate a relationship even when everything proceeds as planned. Before coming to an agreement, consider if the benefits of the loan are worth that potential impact.

Whether you’re looking to save on baggage fees, access premium lounges or earn free flights, our guide to the best travel cards on the market can help you find one that matches your lifestyle and financial goals.

Best for premium rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Here’s why: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the most valuable rewards cards out there, offering extensive perks like a generous travel credit and access to airport lounges around the world.

This card’s annual travel credit of up to $300 can be used for a wide range of travel expenses, including taxi fares, campground fees and bridge tolls. The credit is automatically applied when you make eligible travel-related purchases.

The card has a $550 annual fee, so make sure you’ll get enough value from the perks and rewards before applying.

Best for luxury perks: Platinum Card® from American Express

Here’s why: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wealth of travel and lifestyle benefits that make it a great choice for travelers seeking extra comfort.

The $695 annual fee is hefty, but will get you access to some of the best airport lounges around the world, including The Centurion® Lounge network. You’ll also be pampered at certain hotels with room upgrades, noon check-in, late check-out, and credits for spa treatments, resort activities and dining (when available).

Best for entry-level travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Here’s why: If you’re looking to boost your travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card delivers excellent benefits for a modest annual fee of $95.

You’ll earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases during the first 3 months after you open your account. When you redeem through Chase Travel℠, that welcome bonus is worth $750.

But what really sets the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card apart is the ability to transfer your points to a handful of Chase’s hotel and airline partners, where that bonus could be worth more. 

Best for simple rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.3 out of 5

73 reviews

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Here’s why: With its straightforward rewards program and annual fee of $95, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card helps travelers get great value without a lot of extra effort.

You’ll earn two miles for every $1 you spend on purchases, plus five miles per $1 spent on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

Best for budget travel: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

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Here’s why: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a good option for frequent travelers looking to get their money’s worth out of a travel card.

You’ll earn two points for every $1 you spend on travel and dining and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

If you’re on a budget, keep in mind that the card comes with a $95 annual fee — but it’s offset each year by the $100 airline incidental statement credit that you can use to pay for things like seat upgrades, lounge access, baggage fees and in-flight purchases.

Best for hotels: Hilton Honors American Express Card

Here’s why: The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a great way to earn Hilton rewards with a $0 annual fee.

The card offers a sizable welcome bonus: 70,000 Hilton Honors bonus points, plus a Free Night Reward after spending $2,000 on purchases during the first 6 months from account opening.

You’ll also earn seven points for every $1 you spend on eligible purchases at Hilton, five points for every $1 spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets and three points per $1 on all other purchases.

Best for no annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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Here’s why: Few flexible travel cards offer as much value for a $0 annual fee as the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card.

The card offers 25,000 online bonus points (worth $250 in statement credit toward travel or dining purchases) after spending $1,000 on purchases during the first 90 days after account opening.

You’ll also earn 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. You can redeem points for a range of travel-related purchases or for a statement credit to cover the cost of those purchases.

Best for airlines: The New United℠ Explorer Card

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The New United℠ Explorer Card

The New United℠ Explorer Card

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Here’s why: The New United℠ Explorer Card offers useful perks like free checked bags, priority boarding and two United Club℠ lounge passes per year. 

You can also earn two miles for every $1 spent on purchases with United Airlines and on hotels and dining as well as one mile for $1 spent on all other purchases.

The card has an annual fee of $0 intro, then $150 after first year.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lot of potential value to new cardholders, but you’ll need to know how to make the most of its perks and rewards.

To start earning back your annual fee of $95, you’ll want to take advantage of this card’s generous sign-up bonus and travel benefits. But you need to be aware of how to qualify for and activate your perks to fully benefit.

• Earn the sign-up bonus
• Start booking travel through Capital One
• Apply for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
• Use the $50 hotel experience credit

1. Earn the sign-up bonus

The best way to maximize the value of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card in your first few months of card ownership is to earn the sign-up bonus.

Currently, you earn a bonus of 75,000 miles after spending at least $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months after opening the account. But you might have qualified for a different bonus depending on how and when you applied.

Those current bonus miles are worth $750 on airfare or hotels when redeemed through Capital One Travel, but you might get even more value from your bonus if you transfer to one of Capital One’s partner programs. 

Make sure to check available redemptions and to research Credit Karma’s estimated point values before deciding how to use your rewards.

2. Start booking travel through Capital One

Capital One rewards you for booking your trips and accommodations through its dedicated travel portal. 

When you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn 5 miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars.

Plus, you’ll earn 2 miles for $1 from all other purchases made with the card. 

When it’s time to redeem your points for travel, you might be able to maximize your value by transferring your points to one of Capital One’s transfer partners. For purchases, though, Capital One Travel is likely the best option.

3. Apply for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card provides a statement credit of up to $120 every four years to cover the application fee for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. These programs are designed to get you through airport security more quickly. 

Choosing the right program for your needs is straightforward. TSA PreCheck speeds up the security checks at U.S. airports. Global Entry provides the same benefit while also helping you to get faster U.S. Customs clearance when entering the country.

If you haven’t signed up for one of these programs, be aware that you must complete the necessary application process to use these benefits. While your credit card covers the cost of the application with a statement credit, it doesn’t speed the processing time of your application.

4. Use the $50 hotel experience credit

The $50 hotel experience credit included with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card effectively offsets over half of the card’s $95 annual fee.

When you book a hotel stay through Capital One’s Lifestyle Collection, you can redeem the credit at checkout for such things as dining, drinks at the bar or other activities. Keep in mind that amenities vary by each property and are subject to availability.

While this benefit comes with meaningful value, keep in mind that it’s limited only to Lifestyle Collection properties. Depending on available rates, it might save you more money in the long run to book at another hotel not included in the collection.

Next steps

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with additional benefits, like complimentary Hertz Five Star rental car status, but the perks highlighted above are most likely to deliver value during the early stages of your card membership.
Once you start using your card, you might find it has a few gaps. For example, if you’re looking to maximize your rewards balance for redemptions, you may want to add another Capital One card to improve on any non-travel rewards rates you get from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. If you combine your rewards right, you might end up with more miles to redeem for your next travel booking.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers plenty of value for your, but you’ll have to know its details to reap all the benefits.

You can start earning extra value for your spending right away thanks to the $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. But after that first year, you might want to know all the ways to start earning rewards that can cover that cost.

• Earn the welcome bonus
• Learn the spending categories … and their limits
• Get the $84 Disney Bundle credit
• Consider the 0% intro APR for big purchases

Earn the welcome bonus

You can jump-start your cash back earnings in the first months of card ownership by making sure you qualify for the welcome bonus. 

Currently, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with a statement credit worth $250 if you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases during the first 6 months from your account opening. But you might have been offered a different bonus, depending on when and how you applied.

Regardless of what you were offered, that bonus could be worth more than a year of the card’s annual fee by itself.

Learn the spending categories … and their limits

If you want to maximize the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, your first few months with the card are a great time to start building up your rewards balance.

Besides the welcome bonus, spending on the card’s bonus categories is the quickest way to rack up rewards dollars. The card currently offers:

• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Keep in mind that warehouse clubs and superstores like Target and Walmart are excluded.

• 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, including popular services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Apple Music, ESPN+ and Kindle Unlimited.

• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations

• 3% cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)

• 1% cash back on other purchases

These rewards rates make the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express one of our favorite cash back cards, but the categories come with limitations. 

If you want to maximize rewards value, keep in mind that you’ll earn just 1% on U.S. grocery purchases after you hit the $6,000 annual spending cap. And while the rewards rate on streaming subscriptions covers many of the most popular apps, it might not cover everything you use. If you want to make sure your service is covered, check with American Express.

Get the $84 Disney Bundle credit

If you’re looking to save on the costs of streaming, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express can help you cover it. 

The card offers a $7 monthly statement credit (up to $84 annually) for Disney Bundle subscriptions, which include Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. To qualify, you need to enroll and spend at least $9.99 each month on an auto-renewing subscription using the card. 

While the monthly credit doesn’t cover the full cost of subscription, it’s a strong value for existing subscribers, and a possible reason for people who’ve been considering the Disney Bundle to start subscribing. 

Consider the 0% intro APR for big purchases

If you’re planning to make a big purchase and need time to pay it off, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express could also help you save money on interest charges.

The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months after account opening. But make sure to try to pay off your purchases and transfers before the intro APR expires, or you’ll be charged a variable regular APR of 18.24% - 29.24% on both.

Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days of account opening to qualify for the intro rate, and there’s also balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

While the balance transfer offer could be helpful for those carrying debt on other cards, we recommend that cardholders using the card for other benefits try to stick to the 0% intro purchase APR offer. In general, it’s a good idea not to use the same card for both new purchases and managing existing debt — juggling both balances can get complicated, and you could end up in more debt than when you started.

Next steps

Your Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with other benefits, like purchase protection and return protection. But the perks we’ve called out above are most likely to help you find value early in your card membership.

Once you start using your card more often, you might find it has some gaps you’d like to fill. For example, if you’re looking to maximize your rewards balance for redemptions, you may want to add another American Express card to improve on any rewards rates you get from this card.

While no single credit card is perfect for everyone, certain cards offer standout benefits that might better suit your needs. Whether you’re aiming to earn travel rewards, get cash back on everyday spending or decrease your debt, our list of the best credit cards for travel rewards, cash back and balance transfers can help you find one that fits your lifestyle and financial goals.

Best for premium travel perks: Platinum Card® from American Express

Here’s why: In addition to exclusive airport lounge access, the Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wealth of travel and lifestyle benefits that make it a great choice for frequent travelers. You’ll earn …

• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly through airlines or the American Express travel portal (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year, then 1 point per $1)
• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases

The card comes with a hefty $695 annual fee, so consider whether you’ll get enough value from the benefits and potential rewards before applying.

Best for budget-conscious travelers: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Here’s why: If you’re looking to boost your travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card delivers excellent benefits for a modest annual fee of $95.

You’ll earn five points per $1 spent on travel booked through Chase Travel and two points per $1 on all other travel purchases with the card.

You’ll also earn three points per $1 on dining purchases, three points per $1 on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), three points per $1 on select streaming services and one point per $1 for all other purchases.

Best for simple travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.3 out of 5

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Here’s why: With its straightforward rewards program and annual fee of $95, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card helps travelers to get great value from their purchases without a lot of extra effort.

You’ll earn two miles for every $1 you spend on purchases, plus five miles per $1 spent on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

Best for simple cash back: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Here’s why: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a good option for people who appreciate the simplicity of using a single card to earn rewards on every purchase.

Every purchase you make with the card earns a flat 2% cash back, regardless of the spending category. With an annual fee of $0, this card is a solid choice for everyday spending.

Best for cash back on dining and entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Here’s why: The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option if you regularly spend on dining, entertainment and groceries and want rewards without a $0 annual fee.

Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and groceries. You’ll also get 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% back when booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel. For all other purchases, you’ll get 1% cash back.

Best for flexible cash back: Citi Custom Cash® Card

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Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Custom Cash® Card

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Here’s why: Without much effort, you can earn robust rewards on your top eligible spending category each month with the Citi Custom Cash® Card, which comes with an annual fee of $0.

You’ll earn 5% cash back on whichever eligible spending category was your highest during your monthly billing period — on up to the first $500 spent. Eligible categories for the 5% bonus include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, drugstores, home improvement stores, selected travel and transit, gyms and entertainment. After you’ve hit the spending cap, you’ll earn unlimited 1% cash back on purchases in your bonus category and all other purchases.

Best for paying down debt: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Here’s why: With a long introductory 0% APR offer on balance transfers, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card could be a great way to save money on interest as you pay off card debt.

This card comes with 0% intro APR for 21 months months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening.  Keep in mind that the fee for a balance transfer is 5% (minimum $5) of the total balance transferred. Plus, after the intro period ends, the card’s APR for both balance transfers and purchases rises to a variable 17.24%, 23.74%, 28.99%.

This card has an annual fee of $0.

The American Express® Gold Card offers plenty of value in your first few months of card membership — but it will take some work to access all of it.

From the welcome bonus to the restaurant credits, this card features several ways to start earning back your $325 annual fee. But knowing how to access all the credits and perks is crucial to maximizing your value.

1. Earn the welcome bonus
2. Enroll to access the monthly dining credits
3. Activate your monthly Uber Cash
4. Sign up for Resy credits
5. Enroll to access the monthly Dunkin’ credits
6. Learn your bonus spending categories

1. Earn the welcome bonus

The best way to maximize the value of the American Express® Gold Card in your first few months of card ownership is to make sure you earn its welcome bonus.

Currently, the card offers a bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points when you spend at least $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months after opening the account.

Those points are worth $600 when redeemed through AmexTravel.com, and possibly more if transferred to one of American Express’s partner programs. Your bonus points may even be enough to get you to your first travel redemption.

2. Enroll to access the monthly dining credits

One of the American Express® Gold Card’s best perks might require some extra consideration to earn full value.

You can earn up to $10 a month — $120 a year — in statement credits when you use your card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys.

To receive this credit, you must enroll online or call the number on the back of your card. And the credits don’t carry over, so you’ll need to make a qualifying purchase every month to get the full $120 annual value.

Depending on your current habits, this credit might not immediately seem useful to you. But if you place a delivery order through Grubhub once per month, you should be able to take full advantage.

3. Activate your monthly Uber Cash

You can get $10 in Uber Cash each month with your American Express® Gold Card, saving you up to $120 a year on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.

This perk is a little easier to use — all you have to do is add your American Express® Gold Card as your payment method on your Uber or Uber Eats app. But like with the dining credit, unused value won’t carry over from month to month.

If you’re not in the habit of using Uber, this perk might not seem valuable. But you should be able to get the full value every month if you make one Uber Eats order or take one Uber ride.

4. Sign up for Resy credits

The American Express® Gold Card offers yet more value with restaurants with this benefit.

Make a dinner reservation through Resy and unlock up to $100 in statement credits each year (up to $50 from January through June and up to $50 from July through December) when you use your American Express® Gold Card. You’ll need to visit your card account online or call the number on the back of your card in order to enroll and receive this benefit.

There’s no guarantee that your favorite restaurant will be available on Resy — or that it’s used by many restaurants where you live — but this credit could be a nice way to try a new spot at a discount.

5. Enroll to access the monthly Dunkin’ credits

Dunkin’ devotees will appreciate this monthly credit (that also doesn’t roll over), which allows you to earn up to $7 in statement credits monthly for purchases made in the U.S. using your card. To get the benefit — up to $84 a year — enroll by calling the number on the back of your credit card.

Even if you don’t frequent Dunkin’, this credit could come in handy every so often if you’re in need of a drink or quick snack, even if only at an airport.

6. Learn your bonus spending categories

While activating and enrolling in the American Express® Gold Card’s perks and credits are great ways to maximize value right after getting the card, your first few months of card membership are also a great time to start building your rewards balance.

Apart from the welcome bonus, the best way to do that is by using your card whenever you spend in its bonus categories. You’ll earn:

• 4 points per $1 on restaurants worldwide plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 in spending per year, then 1 point per $1)
• 4 points per $1 on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per $1)
• 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
• 2 points per $1 on other travel booked via AmexTravel.com
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

It’s possible that you have another card that gets you more value in one of these categories, and it won’t be right for everyone to shift all their spending to the American Express® Gold Card. But if you’re looking to maximize this card’s value over time, you’ll need to spend enough to keep a high point balance that you can redeem for travel.

Next steps

The American Express® Gold Card has other perks that can earn value, like a $100 experience credit at The Hotel Collection properties. But the benefits we’ve called out above are most likely to help you find value early in your card membership.

Once you start using your American Express® Gold Card more often, you might find that it has some gaps you’d like to fill. For instance, if you do a lot of driving, for example, you can save big on fill-ups with a gas credit card. Or if you’re looking to relax before boarding your next flight, you might want to check out the top credit cards for airport lounge access.

Credit Karma and TurboTax — both owned by parent company Intuit — offer a variety of tools and features that can help you manage your taxes and overall financial picture.

Both companies can also help you access cash quickly during tax season. We’ll review your options and how they work.

• How TurboTax works with Credit Karma
• Early refund options
• More tax tools

How TurboTax works with Credit Karma

Simplified tax filing

If you’re filing your taxes with TurboTax, the process is easier as a Credit Karma member. That’s because information from your Credit Karma account can be used to prefill your tax documents.  

Straightforward account creation

Credit Karma members will find a straightforward authentication process that links their existing account to TurboTax. By sharing its data with TurboTax, Credit Karma gives members the benefit of creating an account quickly and easily.

Special pricing and offers

Certain Credit Karma members who file their taxes using TurboTax through the Credit Karma app have access to special offers and pricing for tax filing — including features like Audit Defense, which represents filers in case of a state or IRS audit. 

Finding TurboTax in the Credit Karma app

To access TurboTax within the Credit Karma app, navigate to “Income and Taxes” from the three-line menu icon to find “Tax tools.” Then click on “File taxes” for an embedded version of TurboTax. Signing into TurboTax through Credit Karma keeps you within the Credit Karma app the whole time.

Fast funding options

Refund Advance loan through TurboTax

If you’re already an e-filer with TurboTax for your federal return, you could be eligible for a TurboTax Refund Advance — a short-term, no-cost loan.

You’ll have to apply, as with any other loan, but if approved, you’ll receive up to $4,000 in your Credit Karma Money™ Spend account — which is free to open if you don’t already have one.

When you file electronically, it’ll typically take 24 to 48 hours for the IRS to accept your return — and most filers receive their Refund Advance within 15 minutes of IRS acceptance.

You’ll be notified when your funds are available and can use Credit Karma’s mobile app to access your funds right away. You’ll also be sent a physical Credit Karma Visa® Debit Card. Note that Refund Advance, which is issued by First Century Bank, N.A. or WebBank, may not be available for all tax filers everywhere. You’ll want to check out the full terms and conditions before you apply.

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Early refund access with Credit Karma Money™

Credit Karma members can get access to their tax refund up to five days early when they deposit it into their Credit Karma Money™ Spend account — no matter who prepares your taxes.

But you can’t double-down: If you file with TurboTax and choose to pay your tax preparation fee using your federal tax refund or take advantage of TurboTax Refund Advance, you’re ineligible for early refund access through Credit Karma.

More tax tools

Here are some other Credit Karma tools that can help you keep track of your filing status during tax season or help work on your finances.

Refund Tracker

If you created a new Credit Karma account or linked an existing one while filing your taxes through TurboTax — and you consented to data sharing — you can monitor the status of both your federal and state tax refunds on Credit Karma. 

The Refund Tracker appears soon after you file your federal tax return with TurboTax. When you want to take a look, you can log in to your Credit Karma account.

The IRS issues most refunds within 21 days of accepting your return, though it’s possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer to process.

If you’d prefer to get your information directly from the IRS, the agency maintains a refund tracker called “Where’s My Refund.” Although you’ll need some basic information and a bit of patience, you can start checking your refund’s status as early as 24 hours after the IRS accepts your e-filed return.

Tax Refund Estimator

Credit Karma’s Tax Refund Estimator can help you estimate your federal tax refund based on the information you provide about your income, deductions and credits.

Although the tool has been created for educational purposes only to give you a ballpark figure, you might be able to get an idea about your tax situation. This tool does not prepare or file your taxes for you.

It’s always a good idea to consult a tax professional for personalized advice on your taxes.

The Biden administration has rolled out a new repayment plan that slashes payments for millions of borrowers based on their income.

Called SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education), the program calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size. People under a certain income threshold can get their monthly payments eliminated altogether pretty quickly, and most others under this program will see their payments cut in half in July.

SAVE replaces the current income-driven repayment plan known as REPAYE. Borrowers already on the REPAYE plan will be automatically enrolled in the SAVE plan. 

Key takeaway: You can go to the Federal Student Aid site to apply for the new SAVE program if you’re looking for student loan relief and aren’t already enrolled in REPAYE, the existing repayment program. The SAVE program could significantly cut or even eliminate your payments.

Who qualifies for SAVE?

Borrowers with federally held loans including direct subsidized, unsubsidized and consolidated loans can qualify for SAVE. SAVE is replacing the current income-driven repayment plan known as the Revised Pay as You Earn (REPAYE) program. Borrowers who are already on the REPAYE plan will be automatically enrolled in the SAVE plan.

Current and future borrowers with federal undergraduate or graduate loans are eligible. Parents who took out Parent PLUS loans cannot enroll in the new plan.

How is SAVE different from REPAYE?

More people will qualify for $0 payments

In the SAVE program, borrowers with discretionary income at 225% of the federal poverty guidelines or less won’t have to make payments. For an individual, that translates to about a $15 (or less) hourly wage or $32,800 or less annually. A family of four needs to make $67,500 or less annually.      

In the REPAYE program, the income ceiling for eligibility is 150% of the poverty guideline.

Others who don’t qualify for $0 payments could see their payments cut in half

Come July, most borrowers whose discretionary income is above 225% of the federal poverty guideline will see their monthly payments drop significantly. Specifically, the payment amount on undergraduate loans will be 5% of a borrower’s discretionary income (down from 10% as part of the REPAYE plan). Borrowers with graduate loan debt will pay 10% of discretionary income.

If you have both undergraduate and graduate debt, payments will be weighted accordingly.

Examples of estimated monthly payments under the SAVE plan

Source: U.S. Department of Education

A break on interest

If your monthly loan payment isn’t big enough under SAVE to cover the interest due, the Department of Education will give you a break on the uncovered portion.

For example, if a borrower owes $50 in interest each month but their new payment under the SAVE plan is $30 a month, then the remaining $20 of interest due for that month gets dropped (as long the $30 monthly payment is made).

Married borrowers can get a break, too

SAVE allows married borrowers who file their taxes separately to base their monthly student loan payments on their own income, rather than their combined income. This means spouses no longer need to co-sign income-driven payment plan applications.

Quicker loan forgiveness

Starting in July, borrowers with original undergraduate student loan balances of $12,000 or less will get their loans forgiven after just 10 years of making monthly payments — rather than 20 years under REPAYE.

Each additional $1,000 borrowed above $12,000 would add one year of payments before eligibility for forgiveness. For example, if a borrower’s original principal balance was $14,000, they would have their loans forgiven after 12 years.

How to sign up for SAVE

• REPAYE transition. If you’re already on the REPAYE plan, you’ll be automatically enrolled in SAVE and see your payments adjusted.
• SAVE application. If you haven’t applied for an income-driven repayment plan, you can find out more about SAVE and apply from the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website. After applying, you can check the status of your application on your account dashboard.
• If your loans are in default, eligible borrowers can return their loans into good standing and enroll in the SAVE program. See the Department of Education’s Fresh Start program.

You can also go to Credit Karma’s student loan resource page to get a handle on your student loans and understand what you owe, who your loan servicer is and what your options are for managing repayment.

If you accept business payments from apps like Venmo or PayPal, you may be getting a new tax form in early 2025.

After a two-year delay, the IRS is requiring services like Venmo, Cash App and other online payments platforms to issue a 1099-K — the form documenting income received via third-party networks and from payment cards — to anyone who received more than $5,000 of total payments in 2024.

As part of a phased-in approach by the IRS, the reporting threshold will be lowered to earnings of more than $2,500 in 2025, then more than $600 in 2026.

The new rule doesn’t apply to personal payments between friends and family for things like shared meals or bills. It’s aimed at people with side jobs or small businesses who collect money online and may not be reporting the income as required.   

Here’s what to know about the updated 1099-K rules, plus tips to consider ahead of the changes.

• New requirements for 1099-K reporting
• Who is required to file?
• How to prepare to file taxes

New requirements for 1099-K reporting

The IRS, which estimates unreported income of nearly $166 billion through payments on peer-to-peer apps like Venmo and PayPal, is using the new requirement to help close this “tax gap,” or money owed to the government that goes unpaid. The change is being phased in beginning tax year 2024 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Under IRS plans to phase-in the new rule, payment processors like Cash App, Venmo and PayPal along with platforms like eBay and Etsy will have to send a 1099-K tax form to users with more than $5,000 in any number of transactions for goods or services in 2024.

Making sense of Form 1099-K

You can expect to receive a Form 1099-K from third-party networks or financial institutions for income you earned through the platforms the previous year. Under IRS rules, you’re supposed to report any income listed on your Form 1099-K from your business — including things like selling items on eBay or mowing lawns in your neighborhood — on your income tax return.

Who is required to file?

If you earn income outside of a full-time job and get paid via Venmo, PayPal or Cash App, or other types of third parties, you should refer to your Form 1099-K to determine what income to declare.  

This includes payments for personal items you sold, services you provided or property you rented through …

• Peer-to-peer payment platforms or digital wallets
• Online marketplaces
• Craft or maker marketplaces
• Auction sites
• Car sharing or ride-hailing platforms
• Real estate marketplaces
• Ticket exchanges or resale sites
• Crowdfunding platforms
• Freelance marketplaces

Gift money from friends and family or reimbursements for personal expenses don’t have to be reported since they aren’t considered taxable income.

Zelle doesn’t report to IRS

Unlike its competitors, Zelle facilitates direct bank-to-bank transfers — and the company says it won’t be providing 1099-K forms to customers.

But if you’re using Zelle for business payments, you’re still required to report any income you receive via the platform that may be taxable — if you’re unsure what to report, it’s a good idea to reach out to a tax specialist.

How to prepare to file taxes

Because of the new IRS requirement, more taxpayers are likely to receive Form 1099-K for tax year 2024. You can be proactive by carefully tracking your transactions and planning for them to be reflected as part of your tax bill.

Save for taxes or make payments

Income taxes must generally be paid as you earn or receive income throughout the year, either through withholding or estimated tax payments. If you’re in business for yourself, you generally need to make estimated tax payments.

Keep good records

If you expect to receive a Form 1099-K, be sure to keep updated records of your transactions, balance sheet and other financial documents. Otherwise, inaccuracies when filing could trigger an IRS audit.

If you receive some or even all of your business income through a peer-to-peer payment platform, it’s a good idea to set up separate third-party platforms for business and personal transactions. If the transactions are intermingled, it will be tougher to separate business and personal payments.

Next steps

The new reporting requirement planned for tax year 2024 is expected to generate a flood of additional 1099-K forms as the lower reporting threshold affects more taxpayers. If you’re a gig worker or own a small side business, you may want to consider reaching out to a professional bookkeeper or accountant to help understand what your tax liability might be.

If you take steps now to prepare, you can be more confident about filing an accurate return and avoid processing delays.

Summer vacations can burn through your budget, but there are plenty of ways to cut costs on your next trip. Read on for tips and strategies that can help you get the most bang for your buck.

Tips for saving money on air travel and hotels

1. Book your flights in advance

Most airlines only offer a limited number of seats on popular flights at lower fares. These deals often sell out quickly, so it’s important to book your flight as soon as possible. Don’t fret if you waited — sometimes those flights don’t book up and you can find last-minute deals.

2. Be flexible with your travel dates

Avoid flying on peak travel days, such as holidays. The best deals for traveling might be found on Tuesday through Thursday or Friday night through Sunday morning. You might also be able to cut costs by flying out late at night. Seasonality, holidays, major events and weather can also cause hotel room rates to fluctuate.

3. Use a travel search engine

A travel search engine like Google Flights or Kayak can help you compare prices from different airlines. And Google Flights has a price alert feature that allows you to track the price of a flight and be notified when the price changes.

4. Use a travel agent

While it might seem outdated, a travel agent can still help you find the best deals on flights, hotels and other travel. There’s typically no fee for you because a travel agent receives a commission from the airline. They can also find discounted flights by working with consolidators (companies that buy blocks of seats at a discounted rate).

5. Pay with points

Regular purchases on a travel credit card can accrue points and miles every time you swipe. You can turn around and redeem your rewards for airfare, hotels and other travel expenses. Just keep in mind that it may take a while to save up enough rewards for a trip. You can also earn a lot of points upfront by using a card with a one-time sign-up bonus.

6. Enroll in a frequent-flier program

Frequent-flier programs reward you for flying with a particular airline or group of airlines. The best airline rewards programs let you earn miles for your travel and redeem those rewards for flights. You can also redeem miles for food and beverage perks or an upgrade.  

7. Take advantage of special discounts

Several airlines offer reduced fares to older adults. The age requirement for these discount fares varies by airline but is typically 65 or older. British Airways offers flight savings for AARP members. A number of carriers — including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines — offer military travel benefits to active-duty service members in some markets. If you’re a student, you may qualify for discounts offered by airlines such as Lufthansa and Qatar Airways. And United Airlines offers 5% discounts for travelers between 18 and 23 years old who book on the United app.

8. Fly with a budget airline

Budget airlines offer lower fares than traditional carriers, but they may charge extra for things baggage fees, meals and seat assignments.

9. Sign up for email alerts from airlines, hotels and travel websites

Airlines, hotel and travel websites often send out email alerts with info about special deals and promotions.

10. Consider flying into an alternate airport

When flying to a large metro area with multiple airports, the fare could be cheaper at one airport versus another. Check on alternate airports and routings when pricing a ticket.

11. Travel during the off-season

You may be able to find cheaper flights, cheaper hotels and fewer crowds by traveling during the off-season.

12. Pack light

The less luggage you bring, the less you may have to pay in baggage fees — especially for international flights.

What’s next?

Air travel can be expensive, but there are plenty of ways to cut costs. Saving money in other areas could also help put a little more cash in your pocket for upcoming travel.

Working a travel fund into your budget can also help you set aside a little at a time so that you don’t have to come up with a lot of cash all at once.